Pinyin: Lingzhi
Aliases
Lingzhicao, Mulingzhi, Junlingzhi
Source
Polyporaceae fungus *Ganoderma lucidum*Ganoderma lucidumDried fruiting body of (Leyss. ex Fr.) Karst.
Botanical Description
The cap is semicircular or kidney-shaped, 10-20 cm in diameter, with a flesh thickness of 1.5-2 cm. The cap surface is brownish-yellow or reddish-brown, gradually becoming light yellow toward the margin, with concentric ring patterns, slightly wrinkled or smooth, and a shiny lacquer-like luster. The margin is slightly blunt. The flesh is milky white, becoming light brown near the tubes. The tubes are up to 1 cm long, with 4-5 per 1 mm. The tube mouths are nearly circular, initially white, later becoming light yellow or yellowish-brown. The stipe is cylindrical, lateral or offset, occasionally central, 10-19 cm long, 1.5-4 cm thick, and similar in color to the cap.
Habitat and Distribution
Grows at the bases of Fagaceae and Pinus species plants or on dead tree stumps in sunny areas. It is widely distributed throughout China, but more commonly found south of the Yangtze River.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvest throughout the year, remove impurities, cut off the lower part of the stipe attached to rotten wood, sediment, or culture medium, and dry in the shade or at 40-50°C.
Medicinal Properties
The fruiting body is umbrella-shaped, with a kidney-shaped, semicircular, or nearly circular cap measuring 10-18 cm in diameter and 1-2 cm thick. The outer skin is hard, yellow-brown to reddish-brown, glossy, with concentric ring lines and radial wrinkles; the margin is thin, flat, and often slightly incurved. The flesh is white to light brown. The stipe is cylindrical, lateral, 7-15 cm long and 1-3.5 cm in diameter, reddish-brown to purple-brown, and shiny. Spores are small and yellow-brown. The odor is faintly aromatic; the taste is bitter and astringent.
Chemical Constituents
This product mainly contains various amino acids, water-soluble polysaccharides, ganoderol, ganoderic acid, and lucidenic acid.
Pharmacology
Improves cardiovascular function, manifested as cardiotonic and hypotensive effects; has significant anti-platelet aggregation and antithrombotic effects; exerts expectorant, antitussive, and antiasthmatic effects on the respiratory system; influences metabolism and endocrine functions, and also has hepatoprotective effects; possesses antioxidant and anti-aging effects, has significant anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects, provides certain protective effects against radiation damage, and exhibits immunoenhancing effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sweet, neutral. Enters the Heart, Lung, Liver, and Kidney channels.
Functions and Indications
Tonifies Qi, calms the Spirit, stops cough and relieves asthma
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct in water, 10-15 g; grind into powder, 2-6 g; or steep in wine.
Precautions and Contraindications
Use with caution in Excess patterns.
Prescriptions
1. For chronic stomach disease: 1.5 g Lingzhi, chopped, soaked in aged wine for oral administration. ("Hangzhou Medicinal Plants") 2. For accidental mushroom poisoning: 120 g Lingzhi, decocted in water for oral administration. ("Chinese Medicinal Fungi") 3. For rhinitis: 500 g Lingzhi, chopped, decocted twice over low heat, each time for 3-4 h, combine the decoctions, concentrate, filter through multiple layers of gauze, add distilled water to the filtrate to make 500 ml, use as nasal drops, 2-6 drops each time, 2-4 times daily. ("National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine") 4. For neurasthenia, palpitations, dizziness, and restless sleep: 1.5-3 g Lingzhi. Decoct in water for oral administration, twice daily. ("Chinese Medicinal Fungi") 5. For chronic hepatitis, pyelonephritis, and bronchial asthma: Dry-fry Lingzhi, grind into powder, take with boiling water. 0.9-1.5 g per dose, three times daily. ("Chinese Medicinal Fungi") 6. For coronary heart disease: Slice 6 g Lingzhi, decoct in water for 2 h, take one dose in the morning and one in the evening. ("Chinese Medicinal Fungi") 7. For mastitis: 30-60 g Lingzhi. Decoct in water for oral administration. ("Hunan Materia Medica")
